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Jon Tester on Energy & Oil

Democratic Jr Senator

 


$369 billion in climate and clean energy initiatives

Climate Change Should climate change be a top priority?

Jon Tester (D): Yes. "As a third-generation farmer, I know firsthand how climate change affects Montana. From wildfires to droughts to floods, we must address this issue." Voted for $369 billion in climate and clean energy initiatives. Supports multiple energy sources including coal with carbon emission capture.

Tim Sheehy (R): No. Humans have no "appreciable impact" on global warming. "The climate has always been changing.... Stand strong against the radical climate cult agenda." Supports "responsibly" developing "all forms of American energy." In 2023 removed climate change references on the website of his aerial firefighting company.

Source: Guides.vote candidate survey on 2024 Montana Senate race , Sep 9, 2024

Agricultural oil sources are profitable and renewable

Q: What are the most realistic alternative energy plans for Montana and America?

JONES: The cheapest electrical power is nuclear energy. We must re-institute nuclear power. Coal is another one. Montana is rich in coal, which can be liquefied into gasoline. Government over-regulates the energy industry.

BURNS: Last year we opened up some new areas for energy production. And we found more oil and we found more gas. That's what brings down the price of gasoline, when policies inject competition into the market.

TESTER: America's energy independence is critically important, and we have a tremendous opportunity in Montana to help America become energy-independent. If I were not running for US Senate, on my farm, we would be crushing safflower, because I've run the numbers, and it works, and it provides a renewable energy source that makes sense. We did a lot of things in the last session to help promote bio-fuels and renewables and wind energy.

Source: 2006 Montana 3-way Senate Debate at MSU , Oct 9, 2006

Global warming is much more rapid now than historically

Q: Your views on global climate change?

BURNS: We've been warming since the Ice Age, and that continues. That's a pretty well-known fact.

TESTER: The truth is, the polar ice cap is half as thick as it was in 1950. Yes, Earth is warming since the Ice Age, that's correct, but it's warming much more rapidly now than it ever has in our history.

JONES: There is global warming; it's very slight; it's a recovery from what's called the Little Ice Age, when the average temperatures were much lower. In the years 500AD to 1000AD, temperatures were much higher than they are right now. Global warming is a natural recovery, and is not harmful. Most of it is only happening in the northern hemisphere. Scientists have proven that carbon dioxide emissions contribute only about 5% of the total greenhouse gases. If we reduce that worldwide, do you think it will have a big impact no greenhouse gases? No it will not. This is a natural occurrence and we should not make any effort to change it.

Source: 2006 Montana 3-way Senate Debate at MSU (x-ref Burns) , Oct 9, 2006

Kyoto Accord needs worldwide communication & US leadership

Q: Should we ratify the Kyoto Accord, to restrict greenhouse gases?

BURNS: No; it doesn't get to the real folks that should have some way of controlling their greenhouse gases. That's the reason I'm a great believer in alternative fuels. We have to do everything that we can do, [but] stay within the economy growing.

TESTER: Us pulling out of the Kyoto Accord is exactly what's wrong. We need to have communication with folks around the world. This is a worldwide problem. I hope [global warming] is a glitch in the environment, but we need to treat it in case it's not. I'd point out that, with the exception of wind and solar, you still have carbon emissions from other renewables, like biofuels and ethanol. Our universities can be a big player in how we can sequester carbon, and solve this carbon issue. We can solve this problem but it's going to take some research dollars, and some commitment, and some leadership. The folks that are there can't do it. We need a change.

Source: 2006 Montana 3-way Senate Debate at MSU , Oct 9, 2006

Long-term tax credits for wind power development

The federal Production Tax Credit (PTC) for wind power must be extended for 15 years. This tax credit is set to expire in 2008, and several times Congress has let the PTC expire only to retroactively renew it. America's wind producers need more certainty. This tax credit offers a per-megawatt tax credit on the sale of electricity generated from wind power. The tax credit lends a hand to a developing industry while encouraging renewable energy development and innovation.
Source: 2006 Senate campaign website, testerforsenate.com, "Issues" , Mar 7, 2006

4-point plan for getting over America's oil addiction

Source: 2006 Senate campaign website, testerforsenate.com, "Issues" , Mar 7, 2006

Affordable energy first in our resource-rich state

Affordable, reliable energy should be expected in Montana, and we need to make sure Montana's residents get affordable energy first. Affordable energy should be one critical advantage to living in our resource-rich state.
Source: 2006 Senate campaign website, TesterForSenate.com, "Issues" , Dec 25, 2005

Sign on to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Tester co-sponsored signing on to UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

Source: S.RES.30/H.CON.RES.104 07-SR30 on Jan 16, 2007

Set goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025.

Tester co-sponsored setting goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025

A resolution that it is the goal of the United States that, not later than January 1, 2025, the agricultural, forestry, and working land of the US should provide from renewable resources not less than 25% of the total energy consumed and continue to produce safe, abundant, and affordable food, feed, and fiber. [Governors also signed letters of endorsement at www.25x25.org]

Rep. SALAZAR: `Our resolution establishes a national goal of producing 25% of America`s energy from renewable sources--like solar, wind and biofuels--by 2025. The `25x`25` vision is widely endorsed, bold, and fully attainable. If implemented, it would dramatically improve our energy security, our economy, and our ability to protect the environment.

`I am pleased that more than 20 of my colleagues in the Senate, from both sides of the aisle, are cosponsoring this resolution. In addition, the `25x`25` vision has been endorsed by 22 current and former governors and several State legislatures across the country. The Big Three automobile manufacturers--Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors--are all behind `25x`25` So are many agricultural organizations, environmental groups, scientists, and businesses, ranging from the Natural Resources Defense Council to John Deere.

`These Americans understand that we cannot continue to import 60% of our oil from foreign countries, many of which are hostile to the US, if we aim to be strong and secure in the world. They know that we will have to build a clean energy economy if we are to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. It is time for Congress to take a more active role in our clean energy future. Establishing a national goal--`25x`25` is the first step.`

Source: 25x'25 Act (S.CON.RES.3 / H.CON.RES.25) 2007-SC03 on Jan 17, 2007

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